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Top 5 Best Ways to Listen to Your iPod
Take those earbuds that came with your iPod and throw them in the garbage. No, wait. Cut the cords into little pieces, then throw them in the garbage. Then go out and buy one of these great-sounding earbuds or headphones. Plug them in to the iPod. You'll feel better within seconds. After the jump, browse our five favorite models, organized in ascending order of size and sound quality.
Sony MDR-NC11
The first surprise is that earbuds can
sound this good. Second is that these
noise-canceling 'buds affect your balance
as much as your hearing because that's
another function of your inner ear. Sold
with three sizes of earpad (surely one
will fit) and in either iPod-white or
iPod-black. $150
Shure i4c
These cellphone-compatible earbuds
come with three different kinds of earpad.
My favorite are the little cylinders.
Squeeze them before inserting and they'll
slowly expand to fill the ear canal. They
seal surprisingly well, making these good-
sounding Shures the next best thing to
noise-canceling 'buds. $329
Yamaha RH5MA
These mid-sized headphones fit over
the ear without sealing it. If you're always
missing lyrics, you'll like the detailed
midrange and high-frequency extension.
This model has been around for decades
and is a well-kept secret because
audiophiles don't pay any attention to
Yamaha. Musicians know better. $60
Grado SR60
If you haven't had much experience with
high-end audio, you may not be aware how
harsh a headphone-preamp circuit can be.
Okay, the iPod is above average in this respect,
but you'll love the golden glow and kickin'
rhythm of these comfortable mid-sized cans.
A poor man's audiophile classic. $69
AKG K240 Studio
The first time I saw these Austrian-made
headphones, they were on the skull of a
friend who records classical concerts for
public radio. Studio pros used to love 'em
— and many still do. They weigh half a
pound, but the definitive monster bass
is something you'll get only from a
high-end full-sized model. $167
By wheresmysnare at 11:17 AM ON 07/19/06
Well, you're heading in the right direction but "top 5 best" they are not..Try plugging in a small headphone amp and then some decent buds like Sensas or cans like the Grado SR-125s. If you want to get serious with your iPod or DAP, check out this site for size: http://ipastudio.com/
By thaddaeus at 12:49 PM ON 07/20/06
Hmmm, this is defanantly full of FUDD. Those shures at 329 are over priced, yes shure is a company but UE (ulitmate ears) makes a better sounding bud (pro5) with dual drivers for highs and lows. They are made as IEM's (in ear monitors) for musicians, so there low profile and use a thin wire which wraps around the back or your ear to make sure they stay on your head during excesseive movements. and priced at $250 they are cheaper.
The shure does offer a dual connection for a phone and audio player, but the chance your phone will work with it shouldn't make you spend $80 more. I suggest anyone getting the pro style ear buds from shure or ultimate, should consider seing an audialogist to get custom ear molds, these will keep the buds in more comfortably, blocking more outside noise allwoing you to lower the volume and save your ears
By thaddaeus at 12:52 PM ON 07/20/06
Quick statment revamp:
*Shure is a great company* not just a company
By dpbaker57 at 11:24 PM ON 07/20/06
Yes but if you improve the output device too much what are those 128 bit tracks going to sound like? You better be ready to re-rip everything
You left off any for the convience factors. I use the TEN Technology Bluetooth iPod Sled and the Motorola HT820 Bluetooth headphones. Look Ma no wires and I can answer my cell phone with them. This set up even pauses the iPod when I take a call and resumes when I'm finished.
By pjsauter at 10:21 AM ON 07/21/06
Personally, I prefer my etymotic er 6i's - especially now that they come in black (I also prefer my iRiver). Not dirt cheap, but not as expensive as some of these (you can get them in the $80 - $100 range), and excellent bass. You don't need noise cancelling, 'cuz they block out damn near everything if you've got them inserted properly (takes a little getting used to if you like to chew and listen). Great for airplanes, and I regularly fall asleep with them in.
By earthdragon72 at 4:16 PM ON 07/21/06
I have to disagree with the whole list. I use Bose headphone on my ipod and that is all I need. I also from time to time when I am traveling on the city bus I use my panasconic headphone which is RP-ht 355 it comes with a huge cord and a volume control and it covers your ears. It has bee proven that the earbuds do cause damage and it did it to mine. I do hope that someone else will be wise enough in the future to ask people first do a poll?
Thank You
MO from Fla
By meestro at 8:37 PM ON 12/04/06
Boo...It's all about the ZVez iMpAmp
By hadiantohudojo at 2:03 AM ON 12/05/06
nice entry. now i know what to get my girlfriend for christmas
By helio005 at 2:53 PM ON 12/07/06
I disagree with some of the headphones on this list. The AKG's are great, but the Shures I wholeheartedly disagree. The Yamahas are Ok, and those particular Sonys aren't the best relative to other noise cancelling ones. I wrote up a review with my favorites here:
By simons at 5:50 AM ON 11/16/07
The standard iPod ear-buds are truly awefull! I can definitely recommend a good pair of sound isolating earphones. I got my Shure SE110's from Hi-Fi Headphone in the UK.
By Jackson at 1:04 PM ON 03/01/08
Sonomax now offers an 'on the spot', custom fit ear bud and their sound quality/technology is the best out there.
They Just showcased at the Grammy's and impressed all the musicians who were fitted.
A perfect acoustic seal and custom fit for your ear(s) only.
Check this out....(takes a while to download).
www.mysoundcage.com
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
Jackson:
Sonomax now offers an 'on the spot', custom fit ear bud and their sound quality/technology is the best out there. ...More »